R-AI-diographers : investigating the perceived impact of artificial intelligence on radiographers' careers, roles, and professional identity in the UK

Walsh, Gemma (author), Stogiannos, Nikolaos (author), Ohene-Botwe, Benard (author), McHugh, Kevin (author), Spurge, Alexander (author), Potts, Ben (author), Gibson, Christopher (author), Tam, Winnie (author), O'Sullivan, Chris (author), Sheahan Quinsten, Anton (author), Mekiš, Nejc (author)

Introduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being increasingly integrated into radiography, affecting daily responsibilities and workflows. Most studies focus on AI’s influence on clinical performance or workflows; fewer explore radiographers' perspectives on how AI affects their roles and the profession. This study aims to investigate the perceived impact of AI on radiographers' careers, roles and professional identity in the UK. Methods: A UK-wide, cross-sectional, online survey including 32 questions was conducted using snowball sampling to gather responses from qualified radiographers and radiography students. The survey gathered data on: (a) demographics, (b) perceived short-term impacts of AI on roles and responsibilities, (c) potential medium-to-long-term impacts, (d) opportunities and threats from AI, and (e) preparedness to work with AI. Overall perceptions (optimism, neutrality, or pessimism) were derived from cumulative answers to a subset of 6 questions. Results: A total of 322 valid responses were received, showing general optimism about medium-to-long-term impact of AI on careers, roles and professional identity (60.7% optimistic). Most respondents (70.8%) reported no formal AI education or training, with AI education emerging as the top priority for improving preparedness in clinical practice. Concerns centered around the potential deskilling of radiographers and AI inefficiencies. However, 81.2% agreed AI would not replace radiographers in the long term. Conclusion: Radiographers are broadly optimistic about AI's impact but express concerns about deskilling due to reliance on AI. While their optimism is encouraging for recruitment and retention, there is a clear need for AI-specific education to enhance preparedness to work with AI.

• Language: English
• Keywords: artificial intelligence, radiographers, UK, professional identity, impact
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: ZF - Faculty of Health Sciences
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2025
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 17 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 7, art. 1603511
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-176841
• UDC: 616-073
• ISSN on article: 2673-253X
• DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2025.1603511
• COBISS.SI-ID: 261006851
• Publication date in RUL: 11.12.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Frontiers in digital health
• Shortened title: Front. digit. health
• Publisher: Frontiers
• ISSN: 2673-253X
• COBISS.SI-ID: 56136707

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.